Infrared saunas have become one of the most popular ways to sauna in Australia. Lower air temperatures, longer sessions and a different kind of heat have brought a lot of new people into regular sauna use.
But if you are used to wearing a sauna hat in a traditional Finnish sauna, you might be wondering whether it still makes sense in an infrared sauna.
The short answer is yes. But the reasoning is slightly different, and it is worth understanding why.
Quick answer: can you wear a sauna hat in an infrared sauna?
Yes, you can wear a sauna hat in an infrared sauna. While infrared saunas work differently to traditional saunas, your head and scalp are still exposed to direct radiant heat during a session. A wool sauna hat can help reduce that direct heat exposure and support head and scalp comfort, just as it does in a traditional sauna.
How is an infrared sauna different to a traditional sauna?
In a traditional Finnish sauna, the air temperature in the room gets very hot, often between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius. Heat rises, so the air at the top of the room is the hottest part. Your head sits right in that zone, which is why head heat management matters so much.
An infrared sauna works differently. Instead of heating the air around you, infrared panels emit radiant heat that is absorbed directly by your body. The air temperature in an infrared sauna is typically lower, often between 45 and 65 degrees Celsius, but the heat penetrates differently.
The result is a different kind of heat experience. Many people find infrared saunas feel gentler and easier to sit in for longer periods. But your head and scalp are still exposed to direct heat throughout the session.
Why a sauna hat still makes sense in an infrared sauna
In a traditional sauna, the main reason for wearing a hat is to manage the extreme hot air rising to the top of the room. In an infrared sauna, that extreme air temperature is lower, but your head is still in the firing line of direct radiant heat from the panels.
A wool sauna hat can help with:
- reducing direct radiant heat exposure to your head and scalp
- making head heat feel more manageable during longer infrared sessions
- supporting hair and scalp comfort in regular infrared sauna use
- helping you stay comfortable for the full duration of your session
The difference you notice may be less dramatic than in a traditional high-heat sauna, but many regular infrared sauna users find the hat adds a meaningful layer of comfort, particularly during longer sessions.
Is a sauna hat more useful in a traditional or infrared sauna?
Honestly, the impact tends to be more noticeable in a traditional sauna where air temperatures are much higher and heat rises aggressively to the top of the room. In a traditional sauna, the head is genuinely in the hottest zone of the room by a significant margin.
In an infrared sauna, the overall temperature differential is smaller, so the hat makes less of a dramatic difference. That said, regular infrared sauna users who also use traditional saunas tend to wear the hat in both. Once it becomes part of your routine, it just makes sense to bring it regardless.
Read more: What Does a Sauna Hat Do?
What material should a sauna hat be for infrared use?
The same rules apply as for any sauna hat. Natural wool is the best material, and merino wool in particular is a strong choice because it is soft, naturally insulating and comfortable against the skin during longer sessions.
Avoid synthetic or blended materials. In any heat environment, synthetic fabrics can feel less comfortable and less breathable than natural wool.
Read more: Wool Sauna Hat vs Felt Sauna Hat: Which Is Better?
Can a sauna hat be used in both types of sauna?
Yes. A quality wool sauna hat works in both traditional and infrared saunas. If you switch between the two, which many regular sauna users do, one hat covers both. There is no need for a different hat depending on the sauna type.
One hat for every sauna.
The Koala Sauna Hat is made from 100% Australian merino wool and designed for regular sauna users who want natural insulation and head heat comfort, whether you are in a traditional Finnish sauna or an infrared sauna.
Shop The Koala HatTips for wearing a sauna hat in an infrared sauna
- wear it from the start of the session rather than waiting until your head gets hot
- make sure it sits low enough to cover your ears and the sides of your head
- pair it with a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout longer infrared sessions
- if you have long hair, tie it up loosely underneath the hat for extra coverage
Read more: What to Bring to a Sauna: The Simple Sauna Essentials Checklist
Build your sauna protocol.
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Build your protocolFAQs
Can you wear a sauna hat in an infrared sauna?
Yes. A sauna hat can be worn in an infrared sauna to help reduce direct radiant heat exposure to your head and scalp. While the impact may be less dramatic than in a traditional high-heat sauna, many regular infrared sauna users find it adds comfort during longer sessions.
Do you need a sauna hat in an infrared sauna?
You do not need one, but it can help. Infrared saunas run at lower air temperatures than traditional saunas, but your head and scalp are still exposed to direct radiant heat. A wool sauna hat can help make that more comfortable, particularly during longer sessions.
What is the difference between infrared and traditional sauna heat?
A traditional sauna heats the air around you to very high temperatures, with heat rising to the top of the room where your head sits. An infrared sauna emits radiant heat that is absorbed directly by your body at lower overall air temperatures. Both expose your head and scalp to heat, just in different ways.
What sauna hat material is best for infrared saunas?
Natural wool, and merino wool in particular, is the best material for a sauna hat in any type of sauna including infrared. It is soft, naturally insulating and comfortable for longer sessions. Avoid synthetic or blended materials.
Can the same sauna hat be used in both traditional and infrared saunas?
Yes. A quality wool sauna hat works in both. If you use both types of sauna, one hat covers you for either session.
Does a sauna hat help with hair protection in an infrared sauna?
A sauna hat can help reduce direct radiant heat exposure to your hair and scalp during infrared sauna sessions, which can support hair and scalp comfort for regular infrared sauna users.
Are infrared saunas better than traditional saunas?
Neither is objectively better. They offer different heat experiences and suit different people and routines. Traditional saunas run hotter and the heat feels more intense. Infrared saunas run cooler and many people find them easier to stay in for longer. Many regular sauna users enjoy both.